Mining scam: CBI conducts searches at ex-MLA’s premises in Hyderabad, Guntur

HYDERABAD: The Central Bureau of Investigation on Thursday conducted searches in 25 locations in Hyderabad and Guntur district on the premises of former TDP MLA of Gurazala Yarapathaneni Srinivasa Rao. The searches pertained to 17 cases of illegal mining of limestone booked against the accused. Searches were also conducted on 22 individuals.
The CBI seized incriminating documents, mobile phones, material objects and cash.Searches were conducted on six henchmen of the MLA identified as V Venkateswarlu, Ghattamaneni Nageswara Rao, Muppala Venkateswarlu, Nelluri Srinivasa Rao, Nelluri Ramakotaiah and Vemula Srinivasa Rao. CBI sleuths seized Rs 15 lakh from all the locations. In order to ascertain the quantum of unauthorised and illegal mining, the CBI is conducting a volumetric analysis by using satellite imagery, sources said. CBI recently taken over 17 cases of illegal limestone mining from CID, Andhra Pradesh, and registered a case on August 26, 2020, against 17 accused. It was said that the accused had fraudulently conducted illegal and unauthorised mining, quarrying and transportation of limestone in Konanki village of Piduguralla mandal and Kesanupalli and Nadikudi villages of Dachepalli mandal in Guntur for several years. They were also charged with causing revenue loss to the government and other licensed lease holders and exploiting the natural resources.
CBI has named 17 persons — Nelluri Srinivasa Rao, Vemula Srinivasa Rao, Orsu Venkataeswara Rao, Vemula Yedukondalu, Irla Venkata Rao, Bathula Narasimha Rao, M Anji Babu, T Narayana Sarma, G Ajay Kumar, T Seeta Ramanjaneyulu, R Jacob, GVS Koteswara Rao, O Prakash, Varla Ratnam, Nandyala Nagaraju, N Srinivasa Rao and Alapati Nageswara Rao in the FIR.